NORWICH – Traffic along North Broad street in the City of Norwich was slowed during the Tuesday evening commute and later diverted by the New York State Department of Transportation to County Road 32 outside the city for both north and southbound through traffic.
According to City of Norwich DPW Superintendent Carl Ivarson, a water main failed while initial repairs were being made of a sewage pipe around the 100 block of North Broad at approximately 3 p.m. Tuesday afternoon.
“This repair took longer than usual because it was made while the system was pressurized,” said Ivarson. “Normally we would shut off the water supply and then make the necessary repairs, but the goal was to keep the water on for area residents while making the repair, which we were able to accomplish.”
Some City DPW workers were on duty for nearly 24 hours as repairs were made to the six-inch diameter cast iron pipe, set in the ground in 1881. The main rested directly onto the “hardpan” earth below the heavily-traveled thoroughfare which led to the inevitable failure.
“I can't imagine why something so new would break,” Ivarson said, jokingly.
Ivarson indicated that the water main's proximity to NYSEG utility natural gas lines and the city’s sewage lines prohibited DPW workers from using larger equipment — adding to the overall repair time.
While the incident detoured traffic, Ivarson said the roadway remained open for emergency personnel and some large trucks.
As of press time, the water is on and the DOT has opened Route 12. Motorists are cautioned that city DPW workers will still be in the North Broad area working on sewer lines with heavy equipment throughout the day.
Said Ivarson, “We had some great help from the City of Norwich Fire Department, the State DOT and NYSEG crews, and of course our DPW staff who ended up getting a little wet.”